Metallic device for fastening up mail-matter.



No.,7|3,352. Patented Nov. n, I902.

G51". SHILTON.

METALLIC DEVICE FOR FASTENING UP MAIL MATTER.

(Application filed 1m. 4, 1902.

(No Model.)

w/T/VEsse's:

5 5 HIKE/(T08.

A TTORNE 78.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE TINNISIVOOD SHILTON, OF GREYMOUTH, NEV ZEALAND.

METALLIC DEVICE FOR FASTENING UP MAIL-MATTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,352, dated November 1 1, 1902.

Application filed March 4, 1902.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE TINNISWOOD SHILTON, jeweler, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Greymouth,in the Colony of New Zealand,have invented a new and useful Improved Metallic Device for Fastening up Mail-Matter; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention consists of a metallic device part of which is affixed to the flap and part to the body of envelops containing postal or other matter.

One part of my invention comprises a fastener having lugs that are turned up to form dogs, wherewith to fasten it to the envelop. The fastener has a slot in its body and a projection or tail that is corrugated and which is bent over backward. Upon the flap of the envelop is a tongue, which is bent over for the purpose of containing on the flap, by means of a slot, a staple ofspecial shape. When the flap is bent over the envelop, the staple is intended to enter a slot in same corresponding with the slot in the holder or fastener. The corrugated tailpiece may be pressed'through the loop of the staple and the envelop will be securely locked.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of the fastener. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same with tailpiece or bolt bent over and ready to beinserted through staple. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan of the staple. Fig. etis an elevation of same. Fig. 5 shows an envelop with holder fixed in place, and Fig. 6 is a View of same with staple held in place on flap. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the envelop. Fig. 8 is a View of the same with the fastener in place. Fig. 9 is a detail view of a grooved or channeled fastener.

A is an envelop having a flap B, that is provided with an upwardly-projecting tonguepiece I). Said tongue-piece can be brought over and sealed upon'the flap, as shown in Fig. 6, andis provided with a slot, through which the head of a staple C protrudes.

D is a peculiar-shaped fastener orbolt having a corrugated tailpiece dand slot d. Slots to correspond with same are made in the body Serial No. 96,721. (No model.)

of envelop. The fastener is held upon the inside of the envelop by dogs e, that grip the paper. The tailpiece d is bent over, and the flap B of the envelop is also closed for fastening. The staple Centers theslot (1', when by merely pressing the tailpiece (Z it will be bolted through the staple, thereby locking the flap and securely holding the contents of envelop.

Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings show. the metal staple, which is formed with a base or flange and may be stamped out in one piece and afterward bent into the required loop.

The fastener may be channeled medially along its length, so that the bolt may lie flush therein when locked in the staple, as shown in Fig. 9.

A paper inner flap may be employed, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and in Fig. 7 at 00, for the purpose of protecting the contents of envelop from contact with the metal fastener. This flap may be gummed to envelop to prevent tampering with the device. \Vhen the packet or envelop is closed up, the fastening device is quite obscured from view. The flap B may be provided with an upturned part, as at b, Fig. 8, carrying the staple, so that the staple will not show on the front of the flap B.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is- 1. In combination with an envelop having a slot therein, fastening means comprising a fastener D having a slot therein registering with the slot in the envelop, having also dogs 6, e, by which it is secured to the envelop, and having also a tailpiece cl normally curved and a staple on the flap of the envelop adapted to pass through the slot of the fastener D, the said tongue when pressed upon and fiattened being made to enter the said staple to,

hold the flap in place, substantially as described.

2. In combination with an envelop having a slot therein, a fastener D secured on the inner side thereof and comprising a plate having a slot registering with the slot in the envelop, dogs e, e, engaging the envelop and specification in the presence oftwo subscriba curved tongue d, and a staple on the flap ing witnesses.

adapted to enter the slot in the plate to be T engaged by the tongue When flattened down, I GLORGE TINMSWOOD SHILTON' 5 said fastener-plate being grooved to receive \Vitnesses:

the tongue, substantially as described. R. G. \VARD,

In testimony whereof I have signed this T. PEROUBOALES. 

